Chapter 29 KISSING BACK

Chapter 29 KISSING BACK
GRACE

Elliot leads me down the hallway and into a room that’s no doubt his.

The moment we step inside, he glances over my shoulder toward the door like he’s making sure his mom didn't follow us.

When he’s satisfied we’re alone, he turns back to face me.

For some reason, he’s not avoiding my eyes or acting awkward, even though the situation definitely is… at least for me.

“Um… I should apologize about what happened back there,” he says, his expression serious.

I simply nod. Because right now I’m waiting for him to admit he made a mistake letting his mother assume I’m his girlfriend. Yes, he denied it… but not convincingly enough.

“It’s fine,” I reply calmly. “I should’ve expected it when I suggested spending the night at a man’s house. Your mom had every right to assume that.”

I pause, folding my arms. “Though I did think you’d be a little better at convincing her otherwise.”

“Grace, please…” he interrupts gently before I can continue. “Can you just do me a favor?”

My brows knit together.

He exhales slowly, like he’s struggling with the words. “I know this is wrong of me to ask,” he admits. “But I think it’s the only thing that’ll work right now.”

Wait. What exactly is he saying?

I shift my weight, trying not to glare at him. “Can you explain what that means?”

He takes a step closer. Instinctively, I step back.

“My mom isn’t going to stop unless she believes you’re my… my girlfriend,” he says. “And you have every right to be upset about that. I get it.”

He rubs the back of his neck, clearly uncomfortable as I am.

“But could you just pretend? Just for tonight. That’s all I’m asking.”

Pretend? I stare at him for a moment. How did we go from that to this?

I thought he brought me in here to clarify whatever that was?

And to be honestly, I don’t even understand how a grown man like Elliot doesn’t already have a woman in his life.

He’s handsome. Obviously rich. And he has this quiet kind of charm that most women would fall for without much effort.

Part of me wants to reject the idea immediately. But… it’s only for one night. I guess I can survive that, right?

I fold my arms again and squeeze my eyes shut for a moment.

“Look, Elliot…” I say, opening them and meeting his gaze. “I know you agreed to help me, but this wasn’t part of the plan.”

“I know,” he replies calmly. “And I’m sorry.”

“And I’ve had a very long night…”

“I’m sorry about that too.”

I study him for a second. He actually sounds sincere.

I sigh. “Fine,” I say at last. “I’ll agree to it. Just for tonight.”

Relief instantly breaks through his calm expression. “I really appreciate that,” he says. “I truly do.”

“But,” I add quickly, raising a finger before he can say anything else, “that’s all it is. It doesn’t mean anything.”

His smile softens, but he nods. “Understood.”

Then he turns and heads back toward the sitting room. I follow behind him, already wondering what kind of mess I just agreed to.

NICHOLAS

I slide the key into the lock and twist it. I exhale sharply and enter.

The police station drained me today, and the last thing I should be doing is babysitting Samantha.

But a part of me couldn’t just leave her stranded, so I booked a room in a nearby hotel and brought her in.

“Thank you so much for today, Nick,” she murmurs as she perches on the edge of the bed.

I don’t respond at first, just reach for the door, but then I notice her hand brushing mine.

“Please, Sam…” I pull back. “It’s enough that you ruined my night already. The last thing I need is… this.”

Her cheeks are flushed, still bright red from the alcohol. She was barely standing when I found her, but now she seems steady enough to take two steps without staggering. I think I can leave her now. I just need to get back to Grace.

“You didn’t ask why I was drunk?”

I snap my head toward her. Why should I care? She’s reckless, always has been.

“I think you should rest,” I say sharply, restraining my patience. “And stop calling me from now on.”

The moment my hand touches the door handle, she wraps her arms around my waist from behind.

“I’m not letting you leave, okay?” she whispers, tightening her grip. “I know you’re going back to her. That Grace.”

I yank her arms off and spin to face her. “Don’t ever call her name again! Understand? Today was the last favor I’m ever doing for you. Don’t make me regret it.”

She steps closer, tilts her head, and the anger inside me grows hotter. I can’t tell if it’s frustration at her or at myself for remembering why she’s like this.

“I know this is about Grace,” she says softly, “but you can’t deny… you still care about me.”

“Yes, I do!” I snap. “And that’s why I’m mad at myself… but that’s it. It’s over now.”

“How can it be over?” Her voice cracks. “You were the one who made me leave your brother and accept…”

“Don’t, Sam.” I raise a hand, cutting her off sharply. “Please. Don’t go there. I don’t have the energy to go back and forth with you. That works with Dom, maybe, but not with me. Got it?”

I grab the door handle for the second time, twisting it open. “I never really loved Dom the way I loved you. You know that, right? And I’m not pretending anymore that I didn’t know you started dating Grace to forget about me.”

The moment the words leave her mouth, I freeze. My head spins, and my chest tightens.

“You’re just so selfish… always wanting everything Dom has,” she adds.

I spin around. “That’s because he never knows the value of it until he loses it!” I find myself shouting. “He did the same with you, and yet you still love him! Don’t you?”

The silence that follows is unbearable. That quiet proves a part of her still loves him, and maybe always will. I know it.

Why do I even care? I shouldn’t. I don’t give a damn about that.

“Go after him all you want, but fucking leave me alone, Sam! I mean it. I want to be with Grace in peace, and I don’t need you always trying to ruin what we have. Dom doesn’t even have anyone he’s seeing, how about you go cling to him?”

Her eyes start to water, but she doesn’t say a word. Then, before I can react, she steps closer, stops right in front of me, and locks eyes with mine.

“Say you don’t want me, Nick.”

My heart skips, but I force myself to stay calm. “I want you to stop bothering me,” I say evenly.

She shakes her head. “That’s not the same.”

I scoff, rolling my eyes. I thought I got over her years ago. “Believe whatever you want, alright. All I know is…”

Her lips crash onto mine before I can finish. My body stiffens. My heart races like never before, and I have no idea why I can’t stop her.

I try to push her away, but her arm snakes around the back of my neck, pulling me closer.

And somehow… I start kissing her back.